Military Intelligence chief removed

Director of Military Intelligence Brigadier Chandika Mahathanthila has been removed from his post, effective yesterday, military sources said. Following his removal, Brigadier Mahathanthila has been assigned to the Security Force Headquarters – West.

Female SSPs to lead CID, SIU

For the first time in Sri Lanka’s police history, several female officers have been appointed to senior positions in key divisions, including the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) and the Special Investigation Unit.

Rice shortage; Govt lifts import restrictions

While urging the large-scale rice millers to release their rice stocks to the market, the government yesterday announced that as an alternative solution to the rice shortage in the country, a decision has been taken to allow the import of rice without import control permits until December 20, 2024 with immediate effect.

Public authorities must be accountable and open to public scrutiny - Appeal Court

In another judgement broadening the scope of the applicability of the Right to Information Act, the Court of Appeal recently held that any amount of money spent by a public authority must be accountable and made available for scrutiny when requested by a member of the public.

Coconut cream in place of coconuts to address shortage

Coconut cream which is now only an export product will be released to the local market to address the coconut shortage in the market, an official said.

Police to use drones for monitoring traffic congestion in Colombo

Sri Lanka Police will begin using drone cameras to monitor traffic congestion in Colombo and its surrounding suburbs.

General Election: EC issues ultimatum to candidates over expense reports

The Election Commission has announced that all candidates must submit their income and expenditure reports by December 6, with the deadline set at midnight. According to the Commission, this includes the candidates on the National Lists, secretaries of the parties and the leaders of the independent groups.

Government decides not to re-conduct Grade 5 Scholarship Exam: AG tells SC

The Attorney General’s Department yesterday informed the Supreme Court that the Cabinet of Ministers has recommended not to re-conduct the Grade 5 Scholarship Examination, taking into consideration the mental stress students would undergo and the adverse effects it would have on the scheduled examination calendar.

Russian Embassy responds to reports of Jaffna youths forced to fight against Ukraine

In response to reports that some young men from Jaffna were allegedly forced to fight in the war against Ukraine while attempting to travel to France and Belgium on visit visas, the Russian Embassy in Colombo said yesterday that it had not received any official information about the recruitment of Sri Lankan citizens by unscrupulous local travel agencies.

Harini going to supermarket, Prez walking to work: time to stop grandstanding: Opposition MP

Referring to the recent actions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya which has gained much publicity, Samagi Jana Balawegaya (SJB) MP Nalin Bandara Jayamaha yesterday said both should stop grandstanding

First debate of 10th Parliament today

The first debate of the 10th Parliament will begin at 9.30 am today, where the MPs will speak on the policy statement presented to the House by President Anura Kumara Dissanayake on November 21.

World Aids Day walk

World Aids Day walk organised by National Aids Control Programme was held with the theme ‘take the right path’ with participation of Prime Minister Dr. Harini Amarasuriya and Minister of Health Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa yesterday. The march began from Galle Face Green and proceeded towards Town Hall.

Special teams to assess damage to crops caused by flooding

The Agricultural and Agrarian Insurance Board has appointed a special team to assess the damage to crops caused by flooding.

Bureaucratic delay puts over 200 specialists at risk of retirement

A delay in issuing a crucial circular/ Gazette has put over 200 specialist doctors in Sri Lanka at risk of premature retirement, threatening the country’s public health service, Daily Mirror learns.

Government to get tough on unauthorised structures?

The Government is to get tough on unauthorised structures which have become a hindrance to the flow of rainwater, Minister of Urban Development, Construction and Land Anura Karunatilaka said yesterday.

MPs, Ministers refuse luxury vehicles due to low fuel efficiency: Speaker

Claiming that there is a large fleet of unused luxury vehicles, Speaker Dr. Ashoka Ranwala said yesterday most MPs and Ministers refuse to use luxury vehicles due to their low fuel efficiency.

W. M. Mendis and Co. fails to pay tax arrears on deadline, face legal charges

Controversial liquor giant W.M.Mendis and Co. will face imminent legal action by the Department of Excise with revoking of its production license, having failed to settle a staggering tax arrears of Rs.5.5 billion to the government before the deadline on November 30th.

Navy officer killed by wild elephant

A senior Navy official, on his way back to the Punewa Naval Camp after a visit to Colombo on an official assignment, had been trampled to death by a wild elephant as he alighted from the bus near the camp.

Beware of Whatsapp hackers; CERT

The Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) yesterday cautioned the public on a scam which is involved in hacking of whatsapp accounts.

ABBA Tribute Show: Yes, we attended, enjoyed it as people with a palate for enjoyment: Tilvin

In response to criticism on social media over attending in ABBA Tribute Show at Mount Lavinia Hotel, JVP General Secretary Tilvin Silva said he, along with others, attended and enjoyed it as people with a palate for enjoyment.

‘Deega Danthu 1’ the majestic elephant in Kalawewa National Park electrocuted

Deega Danthu 1, widely regarded as the most majestic elephant in the Kalawewa National Park, was found dead yesterday after becoming entangled in an illegal electric fence, the National Park Warden confirmed.

Sri Lanka records highest HIV cases in single quarter: Close to 250 cases so far this year

Sri Lanka has experienced a dramatic surge in HIV/AIDS cases during the second half of 2024, marking the highest number of cases logged in a single quarter since 2009.

SL safe from cyclonic storm: Met. Dept.

Sri Lanka will not be affected by the cyclonic storm as it is moving away from the island, the Department of Meteorology said yesterday.

A/L recommencement date to be announced after weather assessment:Govt

The Examinations Department will announce the date of the recommencement of the Advance Level (A/L) examination after assessing the weather situation after November 29, Defence Secretary Air Vice Marshal Sampath Thuyacontha said.

SL’s return to a financial crisis once debt servicing begins is a fallacy

Central Bank Governor Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe allayed fears yesterday that the country would return to a financial crisis once it started debt servicing.

Sri Lanka drenched more this year

The Department of Meteorology confirmed that the volume of rainfall had increased this year compared to the last year , another phenomenon of climate change. According to the Department of Census and Statistics, rainfall is of three types, monsoonal, conventional and depression.

Govt. taking allegations against Adani seriously

In the wake of bribery allegations against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani, Cabinet Spokesman and Minister Nalinda Jayatissa said that the Sri Lankan government is taking the matter seriously.

SriLankan Airlines comes under Finance Ministry

Sri Lanka’s national carrier, SriLankan Airlines, which was under the purview of the Civil Aviation Ministry under the previous government, has been gazetted under the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development.

Dr. Mahipala out from Health Ministry; removal or resignation?

The sudden removal of Dr. Palitha Mahipala as the Secretary to the Ministry of Health has raised concerns among health professionals, as the exact reasons for his dismissal remain unclear.

Cabinet Spokesman says Need to rectify legal barriers through Parliament in extraditing Mahendran

Claiming that the extradition laws have been a barrier for bringing down former Central Bank Governor Arjuna Mahendran from Singapore, Cabinet Spokesman Dr. Nalinda Jayatissa said yesterday the government needs to rectify the barriers through Parliament.